Vanilla-Almond Gooey Butter Cake Bars

I’ve heard whispers about “gooey butter” baked goods for a few years. Apparently, they’re a very popular thing in St. Louis. I never made any before now because I found it hard to believe that anything that starts with a box of cake mix could be all that good. Today, I am here to tell you that I was wrong.

I can’t say that I fully understand these bars or how they are so good, even after making them. The whole process is simple, requires very little clean-up, and turns out perfectly. It’s all very suspicious. It’s like we’re in the baking matrix or something. I’m still waiting for the catch.

These bars are a lovely composition of two layers that meld together in a magical, magical way. The bottom layer is like the stable friend that holds everything together, and probably gets no credit for it. The top layer, on the other hand, just threw all fucks to the wind and stopped trying to be contained.

I took these to work, and everyone asked me the same question: “what is this?”

To the first person, I responded “it’s a buttery gooey thing.” To all following people, I didn’t have to respond at all, because those who had already eaten one gave them the same advice that I have for all of you – “don’t ask questions – just eat it.”